Thomas a



(No Model.) T. A. EDISON.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION. I 'No. 283,984. ---P a,tented Aug. 278 188? Umrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. EDISON, OF MENLO PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION.

LPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,984, dated August 28, 1883. Application filed lldareh 16, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS A. EDISON, of Menlo Park, in the county of Middlesex and. State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Electrical Distribution, (Case No. 551,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to compensating systems of electrical distribution such as are set forth in my Patent No. 274,290, dated March 20, 1883, in which a divided source of energy is employed and one or more compensatingconductors extend from the points of division of said source and are connected between the translating devices arranged in multiple series across the main conductors.

The objects of my invention are to keep the electro-motive force equal in both or all the divisions ofthe system, and to prevent as much current as possible from traversing the compensating conductor or conductors.

In accomplishing these objects I provide each division of the source of energy with means for regulating its electro-motive force inde pendent of the other divisions. Where two or more dynamoelectric machines are connected in series, each forming one division of the source, an adjustable resistance is prefer ably placed in the field-circuit of 'each machine for regulating its electro-motive force. Thus, if the drop in eleetro-motive .force is greater on one main conductor than on the other, if one machine runs faster than the other, or if in any way the electro-motive force on one side becomes greater than 'on the other, the resistances in the field-eircuits of the machines are independently adjusted to compensate for the difference, so that the same electro motive force is constantly maintained. This keeps the lamps in the different divisions equal in candle-power, and also assists in preserving the balance of the system, keeping the current equal on the main conductor, and preventing it from flowing in the compensating conductor or conductors. If more than one generator is included in each division of the source of energy, such generators could all be regulated simultaneously by one or more adjustable resistances.

As stated in the application above referred this equality, I may employ, in connection with a translating device or group of such devices, a switch or other means whereby such device or group may be transferred from one side of the system to the other, should the numbers become so unequal as to render such a change desirable.

The accompanying drawing is a diagram of a compensating system employing the abovedescribed improvements.

A A are dynamo-electric machines connected in series and feeding into main conductors P N.

B is the compensatingconductor connected between the generators. The lamps or other translating devices, a, are placed across multiple-arc circuits 3 4, connected with compensating-conductor B and main conductor N, and translating devices a are placed across the circuits 3 5 between said compensating- Y conductor and main conductor 1?. Each generator A has its field-coils in a muliple-arc'cir cuit, 6 7 and each of such multipleare cir- 5, as desired. It is evident that each house or building in the system, or any group of translating devices or single translating device may be provided with similar connections,

whereby it can be placed in connection with either side of the system to maintain the balance.

In the system described in my application No. 538, (Serial No. 82,564,) in which the lamps of a building or locality are divided between two circuits, one connected with each side of the system, each of such circuits could of course be arranged to be thrown from one side of the system to the other, as in the present case. If the source of electric energy is divided into more than two parts and more than one compensating-conductor is used, each division of said source would be provided with its independent regulator, and the groups of translating devices could be provided with means for throwing them into connection with either part of the system-that is, for connecting them with a compcnsating-conductor and either main conductor, or between two compens-atirig-conductors.

I do not claim herein the broad idea of regu lating independently a number of electrical generators connected in series, as this is claimed in my prior application, No. 424, (Serial. No. 68,6419 but \Vhat I do claim is 1. In a compensating system of electrical distribution, substantially as set forth, the combination, with the divided source of en ergy, of independent means for regulating the electro-motive force of each division of said source, substantially as set fortln 2. In a compensating system of electrical distribution, substantially as set forth, the combination, with the two or more dynamo or magneto electric machines connected in se ries andforming a divided source of energy, of an adjustable resistance in the field-circuit of each machine, substantially as set forth.

3. In a compensating system of electrical distribution, substantially as set forth, the combination, with a translating device or group of such devices, of means whcrebysuch device or group can be connected with one division or another of the system, as desired, substantially as set forth.

4. In a compensating system of electrical distribution, substantially as set forth, the combination, with a multiple-arc circuit, including one or more translating devices, and having one terminal connected with a compcn satingconductor, of means whereby the other terminal may be connected with either of the main conductors, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 5th day of March, 1883.

TIIOS. A. EDISON.

Vitnesses:

WM. H. lllnanowonorr, H. \V. SEE'LY. 

